The Five Themes of
Geography
A Framework for Studying the
World
Definition of Geography
• ge·og·ra·phy
1 : a science that deals with the
description, distribution, and interaction
of the diverse physical, biological, and
cultural features of the earth's surface
Source-Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary
In Plain English
• Geography is the study of the earth and
everything on it.
Theme 1: Location
• Where is It?
• Why is It There?
Two Types of
Location
•Absolute
•Relative
Absolute Location
•
•
•
•
A specific place on the Earth’s surface
Uses a grid system
Latitude and longitude
A global address
Massachusetts
Absolute Location
• Massachusetts
42° N Latitude
72° W Longitude
• Boston
42° N Latitude
71° W Longitude
Relative Location
• Where a place is
in relation to
another place
• Uses directional
words to describe
– Cardinal and
intermediate
directions
Massachusetts
• Massachusetts is bordered by
Vermont and New Hampshire on
the north, Connecticut and Rhode
Island on the south, and New York
on the west.
• The Atlantic Ocean forms
Massachusetts's east coast.
• Massachusetts is one of the
Northeastern States
Theme 2: Place
Physical Characteristics
• Land Features
• Mountains, plains,
and plateaus
• Climate
• Bodies of Water
Massachusetts:
Physical
Characteristics
Theme 2: Place
Human Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
People
Culture
Language
Religion
Buildings and
Landmarks
• Cities
Massachusetts: Human
Characteristics
Theme 3: Human
Environment Interaction
How People Interact With Their
Environment
People . . .
• Adapt to Their Environment
• Modify Their Environment
• Depend on Their Environment
Massachusetts: Human
Environment Interaction
Theme 4: Movement
The Mobility of
• People
• Goods
• Ideas
How Places are
linked to one
another and the
world
Massachusetts: Movement
Theme 5: Regions
What Places Have in Common
• Political Regions
• Landform Regions
• Agricultural Regions
• Cultural Regions
Massachusetts: Regions
Steve Pierce
Remembering the 5 themes
• If you can’t remembering what
they are just ask MR. HELP!!!
• M – Movement
• R – Regions
• HE – Human Environment interaction
• L – Location
• P - Place